In this undated photo provided by Bruce Tennen, Zachary Tennen, a 19-year-old Michigan State University sophomore, is shown. (AP file)

EAST LANSING, MI — Michigan State University's reputation was dirtied twice in late August by students with wild — and from what authorities say, false — tales. Brandon Carmack said he was beaten by student athletes. Now, he faces criminal charges, accused of filing a false report, stalking an ex-girlfriend and instigating a fight.

Carmack will face consequences if found guilty in court. Not Zachary Tennen.

The statements this young man made on Twitter, to the media and to police had an impact. He suggested others carried out criminal activity. He damaged the reputation of his university. His story led groups like the Anti-Defamation League and the Council on American-Islamic Relations to decry a crime that never existed.

It's simply not possible to wipe the slate clean, to pretend as though it never happened, and Tennen should learn that through real punishment. That still can happen.

Michigan State has a campus judicial system that can address behavior that does not meet the university's standards for personal conduct. That internal process can begin without much effort, with a complaint from a student, a faculty member or police. A student can be reprimanded or even expelled.

MSU officials cannot confirm or deny if Tennen, or any particular student, is being brought before that system. So, we don't know if he will face in-house punishment. We hope he does, so that he can face the music for actions that look exceedingly reckless.

Michigan State University should be interested in teaching lessons to the relative few students who display such poor judgement as Tennen. This student should not receive the message, intended or not, that his lies can be tolerated.

Tennen ought to leave MSU on his own. If he does not, he ought to be expelled.